"I have felt called to this job for many years," said the 53-year-old Lakeland lawyer with DiCesare, Davidson & Barker. "I have had a successful practice, and I enjoy my practice. But it's just something that I've felt called for. I figure now is the time."

By JASON GEARYTHE LEDGER

BARTOW | E. Taylor Davidson Jr. is running for an open circuit judge spot on the local bench."I have felt called to this job for many years," said the 53-year-old Lakeland lawyer with DiCesare, Davidson & Barker. "I have had a successful practice, and I enjoy my practice. But it's just something that I've felt called for. I figure now is the time."His opponent in the nonpartisan election for Group 16 is Winter Haven lawyer Larry Helms. All voters in Polk County can cast ballots in the race on Aug. 26.Circuit judges serve six-year terms and preside over cases within the 10th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. They receive an annual salary of about $146,000.The circuit judge position has become open with the impending retirement of Circuit Judge J. Michael McCarthy.Davidson was born in Louisville, Ky., and has lived in Polk County since 1962.His dad was a Lakeland physician, but Davidson gravitated toward the study of law. He graduated from Lakeland High School in 1979. He received his bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1983 and earned his law degree from Tulane Law School in 1986.Davidson said throughout his career that he has "marveled" at how the justice system resolves issues before a judge or jury."I like the litigation process a great deal," he said. "It's a cool system. When you are in law school, you get taught about the adversarial process. ... The best result is the one that's hammered out with two opposing forces that each get their side."His legal experience of 27 years has been in private practice. Davidson said he has the qualifications and experience necessary to serve as a judge."I put my qualifications up against anybody," he said.Davidson is board certified by The Florida Bar in civil trial law and workers' compensation.He said it is uncommon for lawyers to have such dual certification, and the process to earn them was difficult.In addition, he said he would honor the public's trust in judges and treat everyone "fairly, impartially and with respect.""You have to be sensitive to the fact that most of the people that go into court have never been there. ... Some of them are repeat customers," he said. "But that's the minority, not the majority." Davidson lives in Lakeland. He is divorced, and has two children — Cole, 21, and Sloan, 19 — from his prior marriage.He is an avid sportsman who enjoys fishing, kayaking and scuba diving."I'm a very outdoorsy guy," he said."I boat a great deal, and I love the water. The woods are probably my passion. I hunt deer and turkeys, especially."